Which Seed Mix Is The Very Best?

[Vonn 0]

Hi everyone

 

I have been looking on the net for the best budgie seed mixes and am totally confused!! We have a limited amount of budgie seed mixes in the UK it seems. The best mixes all seem to be in the US! I had a look at Peckers organic budgie seed and their organic budgie seed with pellets and this is the sort of seed I would like to use. How does this this rate against, say, Volkmans seed mix? I had a look at Volkman's seed mixes and they look excellent. We can get Hagen Budgie seed mix here but it is not organic but does put the vitamins into the dehulled seeds and not on top of the shells which you find in most mixes. I would like to make my own mix but would never be able to find all the ingredients in the UK. Has anyone in the UK managed to make a varied seed mix and, if so, where did you find the ingredients.

 

I am seriously thinking of getting a seed mix from the US even if it costs more in postage than seed! Which mix is consider to be the very best of the mixes in the US?

 

I would be grateful for any seed mix recs.

 

I was sent an excellent article by Elly on probiotics and it seems one needs to get a species specific probiotic for it to have any effect at all. They mentioned Bene-Bac gel which you administer by syringe. I would not be able to do this. Is there any equivalent probiotic available to put in the water?

 

Luv

 

Vonn xxx

[Boris' Slave 0]

vetafarm.com.au has a great variety of food & they sell probotic which can be given to all birds.

 

You just basically need to give your bird a variety of seeds like: red panicum, white panicum, hulled oats, canary, finch, a few (not many) grey strip sunflower seeds, a few (not many) safflower seeds, rape seed, niger seed etc.

As long as they get a good supplement of fruit & vegies as supplement to the seed.

[Feathers 0]

Hi Vonn, I don't think that you would need to outsource from another country to get a decent seed mix. Not when the UK are leaders in exhibition budgerigars. The following text I have taken from our Show Budgie FAQ "What is the diet of a show bird?"

 

in the United Kingdom you don't pay VAT (value added tax) on single seeds but you do on mixes. This makes mixing your own seed blends more affordable.

 

There are major seed makers the biggest two, in the UK, will be Bucktons (sponsors of the Budgie Society) and Johnsons and Jeff's Bucktons. They have approximately 20 different mixes that you can buy, from simple 50/50 to champion blend etc

 

 

You wont generally see the word "organic" when talking about seed. That is an issue that you usually have with pellets. With so many champion breeders, the seed quality available must be good.

 

 

Feathers.

[hath 0]

dont look at major pet outlets you need seed merchants whole sale places if you know somebody who keeps pigeons ask them where they get their seed from or use the likes of bucktons or Johnsons and Jeff's your local bs society has 5 people who sell buctons in london area other bird groups will sell the other major brands the problem you will find will be they are in large bags around 20 to 25 kilos but a seed merchany might be able to ssplit a bag for you

[Vonn 0]

Thanks for these replies. I didn't know the UK was the leader in exhibition budgies! Thanks for the names of the seed suppliers, feathers, I will contact them. Just hope I can purchase smaller quantities or the seed will go stale before it is used. Perhaps I could freeze the seeds. Anyway, I will see what they offer.

 

Luv

 

Vonn xxx

[Rainbow 0]

I have used Volkman's seeds for a long time - they are excellent. They are preserved with orange oil which smells soooo good when you open the bag! I like them because they do not use artificial preservatives. I would go with organic seeds if you can afford them. I also use organic (I alternate sometimes) and the birds really love them.

 

As far as a probiotic, I use an avian specific one - AviCulture. I just sprinkle it on their cooked food every couple of days. It seems to have improved their health. Nothing I can specifically put my finger on, mind you, but they seem 'different' in a very good way since I started using it several months ago. I am not sure if you can get it over there.

 

And yes, you can freeze seeds.

[Daz 0]

I mix my own, that way I am sure of what they are getting.

[Feathers 0]

I didn't know the UK was the leader in exhibition budgies

 

 

They sure are, Vonn. They originated from Australia with early explorers taking some back along with other 'samples' of the flora and fauna of Australia. These little birds quickly became popular by fanciers in the UK and to a lesser extent, Europe. By selectively breeding the budgerigars they became a larger framed and healthier bird generally. Different 'mutations' were also bred from time to time. These mutations occur in the wild, but they are outcast or picked on, so they don't survive.

 

This is why the larger exhibition type budgies are also known as "English" budgies. Up until quite recently the "English" budgies were imported by Australia to improve the quality of our exhibition budgies and many breeders would like to see that happen again. The main reason that it does not happen now is because of the strict quarantine laws.

 

 

Feathers

Edited May 17, 2007 by feathers

[Guest ellulah]

selectively breeding the budgerigars they became a larger framed and healthier bird generally.

 

How are they a healthier bird? From my experience, wild types are allot hardier that the show types...?

[Vonn 0]

I have used Volkman's seeds for a long time - they are excellent. They are preserved with orange oil which smells soooo good when you open the bag! I like them because they do not use artificial preservatives. I would go with organic seeds if you can afford them. I also use organic (I alternate sometimes) and the birds really love them.

 

As far as a probiotic, I use an avian specific one - AviCulture. I just sprinkle it on their cooked food every couple of days. It seems to have improved their health. Nothing I can specifically put my finger on, mind you, but they seem 'different' in a very good way since I started using it several months ago. I am not sure if you can get it over there.

 

And yes, you can freeze seeds.

 

 

 

Thanks, Rainbow. I wish I could get Volkman's seeds here. I looked at their site and was very impressed. I would love to find organic seeds over here, but have had no luck so far. I would like to mix my own organic seed mix. I am going to try the seeds that feathers suggested first, provided I can find a supplier either close to where I live or prepared to post the seed to me. I will definitely have a look for the probiotic you mentioned. It sounds ideal.

 

Luv

 

Vonn xxx

[Vonn 0]

Hi Rainbow

 

 

I managed to find the Aviculture in the UK. I have already placed an order as it is exactly what I have been looking for! Thanks a million.

 

Luv

 

Vonn xxx